Balloon.



' H. E. HONEYWELL.

BALLoON.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13, |918.

Patented Nov. 5, 1918..

H. E. HONEYWELL.

BALLUON;

APPucATloN FILED JAN. x8, 191B.. 1,283,773. Patented Nov. 5,1918,

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Eyman Y a Weill,

T-Ian -En @@4 N is are E- AHARRY E. HONEYWELL, oEs'r. LOUIS, MIssoUEI.'

EALLooN. l

To all 'whom t may concern:

` Be it known that I, HARRY E..HONEY WELL, a citizenV of the UnitedStates, residing at the city of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful.

Balloon, of which the following is a specili# cation.

This invention relates to balloons.

Animportant feature of the invention has reference to the balloon valve and consists in the provision of a metallic valve of iin-- proved construction which is not subject to the objectionsof the usual Wooden valves and. in which ythe springs controlling the closing of the valves remain permanently in position and are not detached when they are packed for shipment. l

The valve is comparatively Very shallow and does not permit the accumulation ofa large quantity of water thereon' as in the Wooden valves now in general use. The accumulation of large quantities of water on the valve is highly objectionable for the reason that it forces itself through the valve and into the balloon permitting the gas to leak or escape through the valve. l

Other important features of the invention relate to the devices for suspending the load ring from the net and also include the provision of a metallic load ring in the place of the usual laminated wooden rings.

Other important features of the invention relateto-the devices for suspendin' the ballast without 'subjecting Athe walls o the basket to the inward pressure to which the basket walls are usually subjected by the ballast bags in ordinary use.

Various other important features of theinvention willappear from the following description, reference heilig made to the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure 1 is asectional view of the valve fin connection with the balloon.

Figi) is a plan view. Fig. 3 is a View showing the inner slde of the valve.

pending Fig. 4 is a view'illustrating the improved connect-ions between the net and the sus- Vcords with 'which the load ring is connected.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 5, 1918.

Application inea Ianualy 13,1918.i serial No; 212,463.

j Fig. 5 is a side elevation of one of the ballast bags. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 7is a sectional view of the load ring illustrating the cord wound thereon.

Fig.V 8 is a view illustrating additional details of the vconstruction. of the load'ring.

y The balloon fabric is doubled under itself as illustrated at 1 and in the fold thereof a 1 cord 2 is held. The doubled end portion of the, balloon fabric is tightly clamped between. an upper ring 3 and an inner ring 4, the cord `filling the fold of the fabric and preventing the same from slipping from between therings. Layers 5 of 'fabricated material'are secured to the faces of the rings 3 and 4 and constitute cushions for clampl ing the interposed portion of the-balloon. he inner ring 4 has a series of threaded projections. 6 passing through appropriate openings or eyelets in the interposed portion ofthe balloon and throughv holes in the up-l per ring 3, and upon said projections c1amping nuts 7 are'screwed to clamp the rings 3 and 4 Aupon the interposed edge portion of the balloon.

The inner ring is vprovided with an integral diametrically disposed h inge supportf Y ing member 8, the same having near each end thereof a'pair of depending projections 9, andl at least one projection l0 between the j pairs of projections.

The valves are in the form of doors pivotally supported in connection with the memyber 8,each door including an arcuate portion 11 vhaving its ends connected by a transverse f- "portion 12, and parts 13 connecting the portions 11 and 12. The frames thus constituted are very strong and will not warp or bend under the variable conditions to which the balloon issubjected and will remain unchanged in wet and dry weather, and also in variations of temperature. The :frames are duplicates of each other and are interchangeable, both 4patterns or designs being the same so that the manufacture and construction thereof is simple. A metallic plate 14 is rigid with each frame so that when the valves are mounted in position, as shown, they-will constitute a hermetic cloioy il the projections on the valve frames, thus con pensing with the use of cludes a part of the net is v wardly singly cent portions of with the hinge supportin vthe invention.. y n

The devicefor opening the valves in opure for theopening in the topjof the balf oon. c i

Each of the valvev frames has a plurality of projections 15, `said projections on the two doors being arrangedV to overlap, same having alined holes therethrough which are also in alinement with similar holes i through the projections 9 and 10. A hinge rod 16 passes through theholes in the projections on the support 9 and also through stituting alsinglefpivotor hinge upon which both of theA valves are mounted, and disseveral hinges used in balloon valves ofordinary construction. The arcuate portions 11 of the valves match. and underlie similar portions of the inner ring 4 and' on their upper surfaces have sec` tions 17 of fabricated material arranged to beara ainst sections 18 of similar material secur tothe vinner side of the ring 4 so `that when the valves are closed hermetic joints are formed. Appropriate fabricated is secured to the adja-' the valves and the. hinge packing material 19 supporting member 8, and forms a hermetic joint at those points.

Each of the valves has one or more hooks 2O to which are connected the ends of springs 21, each spring extending entirely across the .central portions of the valves from one valve to the other, and being retained in proper position by spring seats A22 in connection member 8. As shown two springs are use but it is obvious that the numbermay be varied without departing inl'the least from the principle of to the power of the springs 21 in. 'connection 23 passing through the balloon to convenient position relative to the basket and having branches 2li connected with loops 25 on the valves, so that by drawin the connection 23 downwardly the valves wi l be moved to open position in opposition to the springs.

vposition f The net around the balloon is suspendedv from a ring 26 supported by straps 27 connected with the upper ring'.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated a novel form of connection by which the load ring is suspended from the net. As shown the lower finished by a'cord 28 tied to each mesh of the net and diverging downrom each intermediate mesh of the the single line of the cord through a spoo 30,' thence upwardly to a 'point of connection with 'the intermediatey mesh of. the net to which it is tied, thence downwardly and' again through the spool30 and thence up` wardly 'to form a single and the alternate mesh and extending downwardly doubled from each net ,as shown at 29. This formation is produced by passin line of cord in cont vties of theusfual' wooden rings.

`Lasserre nection with another mesh of the net from which a single lineof the cord passes downwardly and through another spool-30, and so on. From the spoolsy 30 another cord connection is formed in a similar manner including a cord passing around and tied to each alternate spool 30 and diverging downwardly therefrom to form single lines. of cord'Bl.

-Each single line of cord 31 passes through sa spool 32 and thence upwardly around and with the spool 30 next l in secure connection adjacent'to the one lines of cord diverged downwardly and again from which the single through the spool 32 and'so on entirely around the net. This construction equalizes vand distributes the strains to all parts ofy the n et so that no exas stated, andthence l". I and upwardly over and'in secure connection with the next adj acentl .spool 30 to form the` :two diverging lines 31 .of cord therefrom;

cess of strains is thrown upon any part 'of the net, thus greatly reducing the labor -in construction and the weight of the finished `delectors or drips 'which vserve to deflect ico the rain and water and prevent the samel from running down on the cords 33.

The load ring in my improved balloon differs from the-usual'laminated wooden rings in that I have provided'a light and very 36 comprising a tube strong metallic ring bent intofannular form and having its ends l connected or propriate manner. As shown in Fig. 8, the ends of the ring are within the' abutting ends oit the ring and fastened by rivets 38. be welded in connection with theendsof the ring, or otherwise appropriately secured., it only being essential thata strong and rigid connection 'be provided.` The ring is wound in cord 39 which constitutes a complete cover for *thel ring and which prevents the suspen'` `v sion members 4i()v from slippingon the ring.

\The suspension members consist ofv vshort secured together in some apconnected by a plug 37.

.The plug 37may'also 'i flexible vconnections securedto the ring 36" and arranged to passv loops and thereby-suspend the load' strong and will-bend or yield instead of ybreaking when subjected to great strains or through .the loops 34jf p and having togglesff whichgengag ghe y.

ring",

from'the cords 3,3. VThis ring is very light, v

shocks, thus eliminating the faults and fraillast bag is filled with sand the upperend- The basket 42 has supporting cords43 pro-' of the bag is closed by the weight of the ballast when' 1n Asuspension and will remain lclosed whenIresting-upon. the ground so that it is practically impossible for the sand to be spilled by overturning the bag The hook 50 iscomposed of a single 'sustainedby the bottom ofthe basket is of piece of metal bent substantially to U-shape .having on .one end a loop 51 engaged with the cord 49 and having onv the other end lan-v The hook thus constructed is varranged to engage with*l f a ring 53 by which the ballast is supported..

. The ring 53 .is in connection with asup'portf .25 nection '55 "with the supporting cords 43.-

The suspension connections for theV ballast" A bags are arranged-so that the inward presf sure of the bags is 'directly against the bottom ofthe basket and so that the'bag's are` v prevented from bearing against the side wall,

outwardly curving portion' 52.

ing cord 54 'having woven or plaited conof the basket above the bottom. This feaconsiderable importance, because in balloon baskets of the type now in general use the baskets are often damaged bythe pressure of.

theJ ballast bags against the side walls` of the baskets.`

The widely open hook 50having the outwardly curving portion 5 2, may be very conveniently and rapidly engaged with the meshes of the net during inflation of the balloon. It is well understood that when a bal'- loon, is beinginflated, the same isheld upon the ground by the ballast bags being engaged with the net and that as the balloon becomes inflated 'the'ballast bags are engaged succes.

sively with lower meshes of the net `so as to permit inflation to' continue. The hook -arranged as illustrated and described maybe easily engaged-with the meshes of the net successively with certaintyv and accuracy which is not true of the ballast supports heretofore in general use. In addition, the hook .constitutesa proper support foi-fthe ballast bag in Vconnection with `the ring53.A

Moreover, the provision of the flexible connections 54`l1'a'v1ngv ywoven or tied conne@ tion with the cords'43Y dispensewh the ne Vcessity ofenglaging the-'hooksfof.thebV allas bags directly with the f cords@1 his nsf als atu're;eflPOltance-beeause he r are interwoven with the basket material,and

it is impossible to replace the cords when they become worn, so that it is necessary to discard the entire basket whenzany one or more of the cords become'weakened, and this "situation `often arises in balloons now in .general use; By utilizinga tied or'plaited comiection between the members 54 and the cords 43 the wear upon the latter is entirely obvi'ated and should the members 54 become worn -or damaged from any cause they may be readily replacedwithout throwing away the' entire basket.

From thevforegoing description it will be understood that my improvements 'relate generally tothe. entire balloon construction, j

s beginningwith the valve mechanism and eX- tending down to the basket and ballast, in-

volving improvements in' various parts of theballoon structure.-

tical or unnecessary features, but what I clalm and deslre to secure by Letters Patl.' In a balloon, avalve comprising a metallic frame secured-within an 'opening in .95 y the balloon, `'means `for suspending I the balloon'net romsaid frame, two metallic.

above thel hinged edges of the doors across whichv said spring' extends from one door to the other. v Y, .l 2. `In a balloon, a valve comprising a'medoors having vtheir adjacent edges hinged vto j the frame, a sprin having` one end'connectv"ed toene of'said oors and having its oppof site `vend. connected to the other door for {holdingthe'two doors closed, and a supportits' tallic frame secured within van opening in the balloon, means for suspending the balloon net-from said frame, a crossA member f in said frame, a rod supported by said cross member, two metallic doors hinged Vto said rod andv extending therefrom to opposite sides of saidcross member, a spring having one-end connected to one of said doors and having -its opposite end connected to the other door for holding said doors closed, and a stationary spring'seat supported by said cross member close to the cross member in whichv the intermediate portion of Said spring bears.

3. In a balloon,-a 'valve' comprising two. metallic rings .clamping between them the edge 'of the balloon around'the valve 'opening,m'eans for suspending the balloon net rom one oftsaid rings, across member supported `bv .thev inner ring, .ap-hingev rod sup- 1 .crossipemner ring,

' tion of excessive quantities of Water, means' to one of said doors and having Athe op osite end connected to theyothervdoor for ho ding the doors closed. Y

I 4. In a balloon, a valve comprisin an ina'n outer ring, means for c amping said rings upon the edge of' the balloon around the valve opening, said rings being shallow and designed to prevent accumulafor suspending the balloon net from one of said rings, a cross member supported by one of said rings, a hinge rod supported at the under side of. said cross member, tvvoy doors hinged upon said rod and arranged to close the opening through said rings,

.springs extending across said cross member having their one end connected to one of said doors and having their opposite end connected to the other door, means in connection with said cross member to prevent lateral displacement of said springs, and means for opening said doors.

5. In a. balloon, a valve comprising an inner ring. an outer ring, means for clamping said rings upon the edge of the balloon around the valve openingndoors hinged in connection with one of said rings, springs connecting said doors and holding them in closed position, means for opening said doors, and means for suspending the balloon net from one of said rings.

6. In a balloon, a valve comprising an inner ring, an outer ring, means for clamping said rings upon the edge of the balloon around the valve opening, doors hinged in connection with one of said rings, springs connecting said doors and holding them in closed position, means for opening said doors, means for suspending the balloon net from one of said rings, a basket, and means for distributing the Weight of the basket uniformly to all circumferential parts of the net.

7. In a balloon, a valve comprising an inner ring, doors hinged in connection with said ring, springs connecting said doors and holding them in closed position, means for opening said doors, an outer rin attached to the inner ring, means for suspen ing the balloon net from the outer ring, a basket, and means for distributing the Weight or the basket uniformly to all circumferential parts of the net.

8. In a balloon, a valve comprising an inner ring, a series of projections on the upper yside of the inner ring, an outer ring having a series of openings through which said projections extend, means cooperating with s'aid projections for clamping said rings upon the edge of the balloon around the valve opening, doors hinged in connection with one of said rings for opening and closing the extending across saidner ring,

. tendin 4 in connection with opening through said rings, springs for holding said doors in closed position, means for openin said doors, and means in connection with the outer ring for suspend- .ing the balloon net therefrom.

9. In a balloon, a valve comprising an inan outer ring, projectitons on one of said rings extending through the other ring, releasable elements on said projections for clamping said rings upon the edge of the balloon around the valve opening, a door hinged in connection with one of said rings', a spring connected to said door for holding it in closed position, said door in opposition to said spring; an annular element supported by one of said rings, anda balloon net inconnection with .said annular element.

10. In a balloon having a valve opening,`

an outer ring having holes therethrough, an

inner ring, projections on the inner ring exthrou the va ve opening and through the holes in and means for opening h the balloon material around the outer ring, releasable clamping devices said projections for clamping said rings upon the edge of the balloon material around the valve openings, means for suspending the balloon net from said outer ring, a door hinged in connection with onev of said rings, and a spring for holdin saiddoor in closed position and arrange opened.

11. In a' balloon having a valve opening, an outer ring having holes therethrough, an inner ring, projections on the inner ring ex tendina through the balloon material around the valve opening and through the holes in to yield to permit the door to be the louter ring, devices in connection with said projections for clamping said rings upon the balloon material around the valve opening, means for'suspending the balloon net from said outer ring, a cross member in connection with one of said rings, a rod-su ported by said cross member, two metalic doors hinged to said rod and extending to opposite sides of said cross member to close the opening through said rings, a spring having' one end connected to one of said doors and having its opposite end connected to the other door for holding said doors closed, a stationary spring seat supported by said cross member for holding said spring from lateral movement on the cross member, and means for opening saiddoors.

12. In a balloon having a valve opening, an outer ring having holes therethrough, an inner ring, projections on the inner ring extendin through the balloon material around the va ve opening and through the holes in the outer ring, devices in connection with said projections for clamping said rings the under side of the cross member, two doors hinged upon said rod and arranged to close the opening through said rings, springs extendingaoross said Cross member and having their inner end connected to one of said doors and having their opposite end onneoted to the other door, means in connection with said `cross member to prevent lateraldisplacement of said rings, means for opening said doors, an annular element for supporting the balloon net, and means in conneetion with the outer ring for supporting said annular element.

HARRY E. HONEYWELL. 

